Our shirt supplier changed the original deal so I've refunded those of you that donated for a shirt. Don't worry, once I have a new shirt plan sorted out you can get the same number you already picked. The plan is still to go with a jersey style shirt with the same gerbil graphics - but until I firm up that plan and show the new shirt I didn't want to hang on to anyone's cash. More to come...

Added a poll to the thread about what sort of kid specific activities we should add/have for the BBQ this year. Input appreciated.

Speaking of kids, please help the BBQ avoid drama by staying aware of where your kids are and what they are doing throughout the day. We've only ever had extremely minor issues previously but, generally speaking, as the scale of the fun increases so does the need for supervision. For something like a giant slip'n'slide or bounce house to be totally awesome instead of potentially dangerous we need watchful eyes and responsible minds safeguarding against too much youthful enthusiasm.

Once again I would like to ask for donations to the legendary fireworks show. Please pm me for Paypal info and feel free to make requests. We might do something a little more planned out this year but more to come on that. Its helpful to plan early and receive any donations in advance so we can allocate our finances accordingly. Thanks

Once again I would like to ask for donations to the legendary fireworks show. Please pm me for Paypal info and feel free to make requests. We might do something a little more planned out this year but more to come on that. Its helpful to plan early and receive any donations in advance so we can allocate our finances accordingly. Thanks

YGPP

If the Earth were flat, cats would have pushed everything off of it by now.

Well, mostly for kids anyway. Some of those things don't work well when adults and kids are both in the mix at the same time.

I'd love to do everything, but I just can't fund it all (some for money reasons, some for time reasons) so I want to make sure I get my priorities straight. Over multiple BBQs the formula is refined, we try new things, we bring back classics, experimentation and iteration are huge parts of the event. What we can't do this year I'll reevaluate next year. We'll never get to it all unless I run out of ideas - and that's not likely. Remember, this is a completely selfish event, I only try so hard to win everyone's praise and adoration - so if people like an idea, I'll probably get to it eventually.

Actually looked at my July schedule and things might change for me. The training gig in Arlington, VA actually starts the Monday after BBQ (I had thought it was the week before). Google Maps tells me it's 680 miles and 10 hours from Holland, MI to Arlington, VA and, if that's close to right, I could do it assuming an early rise on Sunday. The only sticky part is that I wouldn't be able to bring the potato gun. The Arlington facility is Federal property and just to get into the garage you get a full car search including the wheeled mirrors to look underneath the car. There's no way in hell I'm trying to get into that garage with the cannon in the back, as I simply can't do life in Gitmo. I do not do well in humid climates.

Ponderance commences.

Have you considered a roof mount for it - making your car a technical? Could fit right in....

nopes. couldn't fit it in the budget. already driving out to connecticut/mass/new hamp/vermont/maine area soon...

Bummer.

Now that my wife brews too (and works in the retail homebrew supply industry), and our kids are all grown (and doing their own thing), the AHA conference is one of the things that has basically taken the place of our yearly family vacation. We typically do another short trip somewhere else too (did the Florida Keys this year). So we'll be there, stumbling around downtown Baltimore, and hopefully not getting mugged.

It helps budget-wise that we get a comped conference registration or two, since my wife and/or I have been on the organizing committee for the Chicago Region of the NHC these past few years. Chicago may be bowing out next year though... we're kind of burned out (and the local club we belong to has their own comp in the same timeframe). Opportunity for someone else in the Midwest to step up to the plate? (Hint, hint...)

The video of the Husban X4 FPV is meh. Have you tried flying it FPV mode? Watched this guys video ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opf7H2MEA34 ) and it didn't look like it was easy. Also, the battery time seems to be real short flight time. I guess all in all, not a bad price point of $100-$130 for one of those mini drones.

Now.. the Ricoh Theta S! I'm impressed! That's some crazy crystal clear 360 HD quality going on there! Is this supposed to be the competitor of the GoPro? Still, I think well worth the $350+ for one of these!

I agree about the "meh" video - but for the $120 bucks I have into it I'm pretty happy with the results. Flight time is only ~6mins but I could get more spare batteries if I wanted so not too much of a problem. Here's a couple videos of a flight test from yesterday.

I wish the Theta S video looked a bit better - but I don't have the bandwidth to stream anything higher res from the cottage anyway so there's no sense wishing for 4K or something (yet). It's good to do this testing to understand the proximity I'll need to have the camera within if I want any sort of details at all. It's going to be great for giving an overview of the event though, I'll just have to give some thought to the positioning of things.

I REALLY like the photos though, a lot more than I was expecting to and so much so that now I'm thinking about scheduling the stream for specific hours during the day so that I can use the Theta S to get some photos of the BBQ as well instead of just streaming the whole time. I just can't imagine not capturingmomentslikethese by only doing video instead. You can get a hard case for the Theta S but it doesn't make it fully waterproof like a GoPro. Even with my limited photography skills I can tell that 360 photos are a while different animal, it's really cool.